You may want to physically cleanse yourself beforehand, however you prefer to do that. A simple bath or shower works fine. A special bath or shower makes it more special.

Gather the things you need:

candle (white is best, a tea light in a jar works well, especially if you’re outside as it doesn’t blow out)

paper

pen (fountain with dragon’s blood ink or biro/ pencil)

black thread (regular cotton is fine)

matches/ lighter

any of the optional extras you are using (see optional extras below).

Choose where you will do this, indoor or outdoor. I prefer to do this outside but it works well indoors too. Just make sure you’ve got a nearby window that you can open as it will get smoky, and perhaps put something down to catch any debris. Outside, you will need to be able to see well enough to write on some paper (without it blowing away) and without freaking out your housemates or neighbours.

Once you have everything you need and you are happy in your chosen place spend a few moments tuning in to your breath. Let go of anything that may be bothering you so that you can focus on your ritual. It can be helpful to say “I am Jessica, I am present” (obviously inserting your own name instead of Jessica, or that would be weird).

Light your candle. Take a moment to look into the flame as it flickers.

If you work with spirits or deities then now would be the time to invite them in. If you don’t then don’t. Similarly with the elements/ directions.

Working Part

Take your paper and free write onto it anything that is troubling you. Pour out your heart. You don’t need to worry about spelling, grammar, legibility even. Just put it down. The paper can hold it all. If you need more sheets use more.

Roll up the paper you have written on like a very tight scroll. If you are using herbs pop them in the centre of your scroll before you roll it. Use the black thread to wind it around and keep it tight.

Get under the light of the moon (or darkness, if the moon isn’t visible – but better if you can time your ritual when the moon is out). Easy if you’re outside, but poking a face, or arm out of your window also works.

Take three more deep breaths and consciously feel each time you are breathing out that you are letting go of these things which no longer serve you.

Set the paper alight. Watch it burn (it can sometimes take a little while to get going so take a few matches or a lighter). I like to gently blow to keep the smoke going. If you blow into the lit end the smoke pushes out through the other too which always pleases me for some odd reason. Try it.

While it burns you may like to visualise something which helps with releasing, like darkness flowing out of you and back into the earth, or millions of little insects flying away. You may like to say some words, wither pre-prepared or ad lib. Move, dance, sing, play music, drum, chant. Whatever feels good.

If your bundle stops burning just light it again. Try to burn it until it is all gone. (Any bits and pieces that are left can be put outside on bare soil, or gifted to a house plant).

If you invited any spirits/ deities/ ancestors then say goodbye to them now.

You may want to add some closing words of your own here. Or just a simple thank you to the moon, sun and Earth is perfect.

Ideally let your candle burn all the way down while you settle into what has been done. If that’s not practical snuff the candle. Clear any debris.

Optional extras

You can add an extra sensory dimension to this ritual by adding some dry herbs into the rolled paper. Bay leaves work really well. Sage or mugwort would also be good choices.

You could sing or play music

Move or dance

Say some special words, either pre-prepared or ad lib

Wear special clothes and jewellery

Journal about your experience. It can be helpful to keep this going on a daily basis until, at least, the next new moon.

Or you can just do the basics: write (to discover) and burn (to clear).

That doesn’t sound too hard does it? Reading about it won’t have the same affect though (I know, it’s a shame right?). Doing it is where the magic is. And it works, powerfully, even if you think it’s a bit silly, things start moving in new exciting ways.

Try it. Let me know how it goes.

]]>https://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2019/02/14/a-full-moon-ritual/feed/0beautiful beauty blue brightjessicamstarr:full_moon::star2::star2::star2::star2::star2::star2:beautiful beauty blue brightred candle:star2::star2::star2::star2::star2::star2:Using the New Moon to Plant Seeds of Intentionhttps://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/using-the-new-moon-to-plant-seeds-of-intention/
https://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/using-the-new-moon-to-plant-seeds-of-intention/#commentsThu, 03 Jan 2019 17:26:28 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=1949A lot of fuss is made about the full moon. It’s the high point of the lunar cycle, the energetic zenith, the showpiece. And yet, when you’re working with the lunar cycle, it all starts a fortnight or so before, with the dark*/ new moon.

This new moon time is the equivalent to the seed being planted. Nothing can be seen, and yet, there is a lot going on beneath the surface. This is the time to focus on what it is we want to grow and blossom in our lives.

Here, I share an outline for a simple new moon intention setting ceremony (though it may not look particularly ceremonial – it depends on your personal taste) that you can adapt and make your own. I’m using a somewhat over-extended metaphor of planting a seed, because it makes me happy, and also because I hope it will resonate and create new thoughtful connections for you, if you haven’t thought about it in this way before.

Often, it’s not immediately clear which intention you want to set. There might be nothing you can pinpoint that you need right now, you may feel awkward giving yourself and your desires this kind of luscious playtime, and/or, there may be so many things that need to change that you don’t know where to start.

If this is the case, you can find inspiration by digging deeper into your current pain points, hopes, and dreams (literally). This is the general digging stage. You may like to do this through:

*Journalling; either free-writing (see below) or using prompts, such as, which part of my life feels out of balance right now? How can I bring more joy into my life? What do I need to focus on this month? Where am I limited? What do I need? Ezzie Spencer also has a Dream Life Exercise in her book Lunar Abundance, which can be helpful for figuring out what to focus on. (If you’re interested in Lunar Abundance, I made a review over on my YouTube channel)
*Free-writing (a fancy way of saying, writing without consciously thinking about what you’re going to write, there’s a good definition here). It can be surprising the insights that bubble up to the surface when you allow yourself to write without any expectations. About 3 sides of A4 usually does the trick.
*Doodling; similar to free-writing but with doodles/ collage instead. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, this is a great way to connect with your deep self.
*Divination; using your preferred method, cards/ runes/ bones. Ethony has an excellent library of free, moon specific, tarot spreads here.
*Pay attention to your dreams. Keep a notebook by your bed and jot down any motifs or characters that pop up in your dreams. You may spot a pattern, you may not, but keeping this kind of record is always valuable. If you’d like to make this practice more focused you can state, before you go to sleep, that you would like to dream about an intention that it would be helpful for you to work on – and then see what pops up.
*Meditation; guided journeys/ visualisations can be especially helpful.
*Contemplation; good old fashioned, getting still and quiet (or going for a walk/ doing the ironing – anything that gets you out of that left-brain thinking space) and creating space for some new thinking about your intention to come in.

Preparing the Soil

*Know when the moon is New. You can do this by checking any decent witchy planner, or use the online calculator here.
*Use this information to schedule your new moon intention setting ceremony (you don’t have to get up for it if it’s in the middle of the night, just choose the time that works for you that falls closest after the new moon).
*Prepare the space you will be using for your ceremony. Think about each of the senses when you do this, how can you make it feel nurturing for yourself and your intention seed? e.g. you may want to have some music playing, a blanket to cosy up in, a special scent in the diffuser etc.
*You may also want to prepare yourself in a similar fashion. Choose clothes that help you feel a certain way, use scent, have a bath (getting into your gardening clothes is the metaphor here, but you probably won’t want to wear wellies and your scruffs, but each to their own).

If you’ve already worked on preparing your soil, then it’s likely you already know which seed (intention) to plant this moon cycle.
Now it’s time to really focus in on that intention seed. Some things to bear in mind as you do this:

*It is better to frame your intention in a positive way, rather than as something you want to get rid of e.g. “I want to lose 10lb and be healthy” is about what you want to lose – it would be better to state, “I am a healthy 145lb”.
*Frame your intention in the present tense, as if it is already true. (You’ll notice I did that with the example I gave in the last point). So, I am in a loving relationship, instead of, I want a loving relationship.
*You may want to play around with how you write/ state your intention. If you want to write it down (I find I have better results this way, than if I hold it only in my mind/ heart) you may want to do this using the circular, don’t-take-your-pen-off-the-paper method. Which is exactly as it sounds. You write your intention in a clockwise circle, joining each letter and word, until the last letter of the last word meets up with the first letter of the first. It sounds more complicated than it is just make sure you keep your pen on the paper and do not lift it up until all the letters are joined as one.
If you use sigils, you may want to use that method for writing/ sigilising your intention.

The Planting

At the allotted time, in your already prepared self and space, with your ready-to-be-planted seed, it’s time to start the planting/ ceremony itself:

*First, sprinkle in some bone meal and/ or fertiliser; you may want to light some candles, cast a circle (if you do that), call on your ancestors, spirits, or deities (if that feels right).
*Plant the seed; read/ state your intention out loud. You may want to do this a number of times, 3 works well I’ve found. If you’re using sigils then activate them now.
*Cover over the hole; you may want to burn your intention (if it’s on paper or a safely burnable item such as a leaf), meditate, chant, drum.
*Water the seed; in tarot and magic water is the emotions. To water your seed to focus on how your intention makes you FEEL. Remember, not how it WILL make you feel, but how you feel as it is real in the present moment. eg. visualise yourself in that loving relationship as if it is real right now (it is already real, just only on the astral plane at the moment – that’s the first step to making it real on the material plan). Don’t skip this step, the seed will wither and die if it’s not sufficiently watered in.

A lot of the work is now done, but most seeds can use a little TLC while they get established. And what’s the point of planting if you don’t enjoy the flowers when they bloom (hopefully by the full moon, though some intentions are slower growers and take longer before they blossom) so:

*Throughout the waxing cycle you can tend your seed by watering, as in the planting section above, and making sure it gets lots of sun (happy, loving, and grateful, thoughts).
*At the first quarter moon, you may need to thin out the seedlings, if you planted more than one, or if you realise you placed them too close together.
*At the full moon appreciate the flowers, or if there are no flowers yet, check that you have been caring for the plant properly and that it has the environment it needs (it could be this isn’t the right seed for you right now, and/ or your current environment needs some changes made).
*Throughout the waning cycle you can make any changes that are needed. Weeding out anything that’s unhelpful for your seed e.g. releasing toxic friendships/ relationships, clearing out physical items, shadow work so that the sun can come through and warm your growing seed etc. You can also harvest the plant if the fruit/ intention is ready. Always with gratitude and appreciation.
*At the next dark moon your attention turns to the new seed to be planted (but keep an eye on the slow-growers that may still need your care), and so the cycle continues.

*I use the Dark Moon to refer to that period of time when the moon is invisible to the naked eye, as it is rising and setting in the same place and at the same time as the sun. The New Moon refers to the specific time and date of the new lunar cycle, which is given by astrologers. It refers to that point in time when the moon is most “dark”/ closest to the sun. For intention setting you want to be working with this NEW energy, so after this given timestamp.

]]>https://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/using-the-new-moon-to-plant-seeds-of-intention/feed/1brown and green leafed plantsjessicamstarrperson holding green cactus on potperson holding a green plantAre you in tune with the moon? Starting a Lunar Practicehttps://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/are-you-in-tune-with-the-moon-starting-a-lunar-practice/
Sat, 15 Dec 2018 10:10:06 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=1941Continue reading Are you in tune with the moon? Starting a Lunar Practice]]>I’ve been working with the waxing and waning lunar cycles for nearly 20 years now; starting out with following the moon phases, and then weaving in the astrological signs and houses. Over that time my practice has changed and evolved and I’m feeling ready to pass on what I know in the hope it will be helpful.

But it almost feels too huge. Where to start?

I’m going to attempt to cover everything you need to get started working with the lunar cycles in this post…

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Step 1

Observation

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Make a point of knowing which phase the moon is in as she waxes and wanes. You can record this in your magical journal/ book of shadows/ bullet journal – whatever you use.

You can use a special almanac or diary which shows the phases every day, to support you in this practice, but nothing beats actually getting outside, or by a window, and seeing the moon for yourself. Different phases are visible at different times. I’ll go into this more in another post perhaps.

Also note how you feel at different phases. Are you more outgoing at full moon? Do you dream more when the moon is in a certain phase (or sign, if you’re working with astrology already).

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Step 2

marking the major phases with ritual

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I do this on full and new/ dark moon, and usually also a little something on the quarter moons too. This can be as simple as a ritual bath with salt and candles every dark moon. Or as elaborate as a group meet up for drumming, chanting, trancework and partying on the full moon.

Add these to step 1. Note how your rituals feel. Perhaps try the same ritual on a different phase. How does that change things?

If you’re already familiar with spell work then you can tweak things a little to sync your spells with the moon (and if you’re not casting yet, simple spells corresponding with the moon phases is a great place to start).

The general rule is, from new to full ie. the waxing (getting bigger) moon, you cast for things you want to grow bigger. For example, financial abundance, love, promotions at work etc.

Then from full to new ie. the waning (getting smaller) moon, you cast for things you want to get smaller/ go away. For example, illness, weight loss, bad habits, annoying people etc.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Step 4

experiment and notice

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Try things. See how they feel. Try different things. Does divination work better for you at certain phases? Do you have more energy for spell work at certain phases?

If you have a bleeding cycle, how does your internal moon phase sync, or not, with the external moon phase?

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Step 5

research and review

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Read and learn more about working with the phases. You might like to add working with the astrological signs and houses into your practice. Perhaps a different aspect is calling to you. As with all parts of the craft, continue to learn and grow. How we relate to the moon can wax and wane as we get older too. Stay curious.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I’ve uploaded a video about how to start working with the cycles over on my YouTube. So if you prefer your info in video form you can find that here. It also includes the resources I like to use and more info I couldn’t fit into this post.

ENDNOTE: I know this is a simplistic overview of a HUGE topic. I hope it makes sense and is helpful, but I’m conscious there is so much more to cover. If you have any questions please ask.

What would you like to know about working with the moon? How do you already tune into the moon in your practice?

]]>silhouette of mountain with mist on topjessicamstarrcrescent moonSetting Goals (Dreams with Deadlines)https://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/13/setting-goals-dreams-with-deadlines/
Sat, 13 Oct 2018 19:50:11 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=1931Continue reading Setting Goals (Dreams with Deadlines)]]>I’ve made a PDF file that you can download with the prompts I use for my annual goal setting process. It feeds into the Word of the Year practice, so if you haven’t done that yet, you might want to go here first.

]]>jessicamstarrWheel of the Year Card Spreadhttps://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/13/wheel-of-the-year-card-spread/
Sat, 13 Oct 2018 18:17:07 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=1927Continue reading Wheel of the Year Card Spread]]>For the last few years now I have offered “Wheel of the Year” readings. I have decided not to do them this year (sorry) mainly because of time constraints. I am committed to quite a few projects at the moment and I am shifting from doing frequent tarot readings to focusing more on teaching tarot – which is a change I am really enjoying.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. – Chinese Proverb

So, in the spirit of lifetime feeding, here is the spread I use to do these readings, so that you can do your own.

“Two bubbles found they had rainbows on their curves.
They flickered out saying:
“It was worth being a bubble, just to have held that rainbow thirty seconds.”
― Carl Sandburg

I said I was going to wrote a post about the significance of rainbows. But somehow it just wasn’t flowing, and there is already so much out there. You already know the wonderful promises which that coloured arch across the sky, appearing, as it does, at times of rain AND sun, holds. (Though, according to Wikipedia, in some rainforest locales, they are seen as a bad omen, probably because of the weather that comes along with them). An emblem of tolerance, a reminder of a child loved and lost too soon – and a child who came afterwards. A message. A promise. A hope.

So, I thought instead I would share with you something else. Something you won’t find anywhere else (unless you have a copy of my book). It’s a story I wrote a while ago, when I was very sad and needed to feel better. I hope you like it.

Iris’s Rainbow

One day a woman had a baby girl. That baby girl grew up, and one day she had a baby girl. This girl was called Iris. Iris loved to dance in puddles, sing loudly, and never wanted to go to bed when it was bedtime.

Other people said to Iris’s mama that she had spoiled Iris. “She needs to learn that she cannot always have her own way,” they would tell her sternly.

Iris’s mother said nothing and just smiled. She knew that she had not spoiled Iris and that she can always have her own way. She fed her when she was hungry, cuddled her when she was sad, comforted her when she was cross and told her stories when it was late at night and the other mamas had sent their children to bed.

Iris loved her mama and grew into a strong and generous woman. She painted, sang and wrote beautiful stories, bringing joy to all around her. And she still liked to dance in puddles.

One day Iris fell in love. She sang songs to her love and he sang to her. They both loved to curl up beside the fire and share stories. Soon Iris’s belly blossomed and swelled. Her baby, a girl, was born. Iris was so happy. She loved being a mama. Her days were full of sunshine (and, of course, a little rain, and she would dance with her daughter in the puddles).

When Iris was forty years old her own mama got ill. Really ill. Iris fed her when she was hungry and cuddled her when they were both sad. They stayed up late at night sharing stories. And then one day Iris’s mama died.

Iris’s heart was broken. Her mama was her rock, her foundation. Without her in the world she felt like a kite tossed by the breeze, a drifting leaf in a huge lake. She had no anchor. She lost her joy.

Days passed and Iris drifted. She was empty. Her daughter would wind her arms around her neck and try to fill the hole but it was too deep. Weeks passed and Iris still felt hollow. Months passed and Iris’s daughter felt her mama slipping away.

“Mama, let’s go for a walk, please.” Iris didn’t want to walk but she loved her daughter so they put on their coats. It had been raining that morning, but Iris didn’t dance in the puddles. She didn’t even splash. Her daughter held her hand.

They walked and walked till they came to the top of a hill. You could see all around and about. Above the next hill they saw a rainbow.

“What is a rainbow, Mama?”

“It is a bridge between worlds.”

“It’s beautiful!”

“Yes,” Iris replied, and then after a pause, “Yes, it is.”

Iris looked hard at the rainbow arching over them, no beginning, no end. Iris saw her mama in the rainbow. She remembered her voice, her smell, the feel of her arms around her. And Iris laughed and cried and laughed and cried and laughed and cried. She was found.

“I didn’t decide to become a witch. I remembered I was one.”

I’ve been following Lisa’s work for a while now. Her first two books, Code Red and Love Your Lady Landscape are really good reads and I’ve recommended them a number of times to people feeling out of tune with their bodies and menstrual cycles. So I was keen to read Witch.

The fact that Hay House had picked up the book (and they sought Lisa out) piqued my interest even more. This was kicking things up a notch or ten. In Lisa’s earlier books she definitely had an embodied, kind of magical/ holistic take on things, but this is the first book where she’s properly come out of the broom closet and declared herself Witch.

“The witch represents the part of each of us that has been censored, ignored, punished and demonised. And it’s a part that wants – no, needs – to be accessed and fully expressed.”

Witch, Lisa Lister

What’s in the Book?

Witch is divided into 13 (of course) chapters.

The first seven cover history, herstory, different witchcraft practices, plus some autobiographical stuff, but the main thrust of this first part of the book is making the case for women (and I’ll get onto how woman is defined by the author later) to remember who they are and take back their power. Lisa wants to #wakethewitches.

The second half of the book goes through the five main goddess archetypes, as Lisa sees them, alongside a kind of witchy 101 of information about practices, spells and correspondences. The final chapter is a rousing call to brooms – The Witch Has Woken!

Overall this structure works, but it does feel like the chapter titles came first and then some of the content was shoe-horned in afterwards.

The book has sold a LOT of copies, it’s been consistently top of the Amazon charts in pagan/ wicca/ spirituality etc since it’s release) people are buying it in numbers. But if you read the reviews it does seem to be dividing opinion, and I think that’s because it is intended for a very specific audience – and if that’s not you, then you probably won’t like it.

So, who is this book for?

The ideal reader of this book is a natal female, still in her bleeding years, who has an interest in witchcraft, but not a great deal of knowledge or experience. Even better if she’s at a place in her life where she’s had enough of patriarchal bullshit and is ready to step fully into her power and start taking steps to fully realise her life as she wants to live it. If this is you, you will likely LOVE this book.

Who is it not for?

*If you are following a specific pagan or witch path then you probably won’t jive with the pick and mix approach taken here. It’s more suited to an eclectic, and solitary, style of practice.

*If you’re easily offended by crass language and swearing (why are you reading books on witchcraft?) you’ll probably struggle to see past the language used here.

*If you are a woman who does not have usual female biology and/or monthly bleeds (or if those years are behind you now) then you may not enjoy some of the ideas and language in this book as it is very much an embodied practice Lisa describes here. This has led the book to be criticised for it’s narrow definition of woman – and I’ve seen Lisa being called a TERF (trans exclusionary radical feminist) by some. I’m not totally sure how I feel about this. As an intersectional feminist I do feel very strongly that all marginalised groups need recognition and support to eradicate discrimination. But does that automatically mean that every writer need to address every person’s experience in their work? Some will say, yes of course, but I don’t think so (or even believe that it is possible to do this). I am aware that could lead to me also being “called-out” as a TERF, so be it. In Witch, Lisa is addressing a history and a present which keeps women in a position lesser than men, and she’s calling time’s up on that. I feel that is a positive message.

Summary

Overall the book is a quick and interesting read, which some have found to be incredibly inspiring and powerful, but is not for everyone.

If you connect with the ideal reader definition above you’ll likely get a lot out of it, and even if you’ve been a practising witch for a long time you may still connect with the message and some of the practices shared here. I enjoyed it, and I’ve been walking a witchy path for almost three decades now.

There were a few things that niggled me in the book (some of which I wonder may have been due to a little but of push/ pull between Lisa and Hay House) that I won’t go into here. But I’ve also made a video review of the book where I talk about this in more detail.

Have you read Witch? Let me know in the comments.

]]>DiDYV++2RHCXTUMv6SgjessicamstarrIMG_0921A Simple but Effective Blue Moon Ritualhttps://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/a-simple-but-effective-blue-moon-ritual/
Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:42:00 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=118In January 2018 we have a blue moon in the sign of Leo AND a total lunar eclipse. Have you heard? You probably have. It’s all over the Internet. But what does this mean? Here is a practical guide for real people making real magic.

What is the significance of a blue moon?

A blue moon is when we have two full moons in one month, which is fairly rare. All full moons are special, it is a time when energies are heightened and our sensitivity to our surroundings is at its peak. At a full moon our bodies absorb everything we put in or on them more fully than at any other time so we need to take care that those things are good for us. On a blue moon this normal monthly heightening is magnified further. Even those who don’t usually feel anything around full moons tend to get a bit weird, perhaps headaches or bursts of energy. Those who are tuned in (you) can use their awareness by creating a simple ritual to supercharge the energy of this time and to clear out some old shadowy crap that has been hanging around for way too long. Sound good?

Photo by Tyler van der Hoeven via Unsplash

What is the significance of a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse happens when the sun, moon and Earth are aligned with each other, with the Earth in the middle. So it is the shadow of the Earth (or umbra if we’re getting fancy) that is blocking the sun’s light from reaching the moon. In ancient times eclipses were seen as somewhat dangerous and scary and the general recommendation was not to start anything new, or to make plans while the moon was eclipsed (unlike at dark/ new moon time, which is excellent for dreaming up new things).

What is the significance of Moon in Leo?

Moon in Leo, the sign of the sun, calls us to shake loose a bit, have some fun. Though, with the eclipse thrown into the mix, things may feel a tad more serious. Rather than looking for a good time in the external world, it’s a time to look for what is good within. Finding what shines brightly inside us, and also what is in darkness. Confronting darkness (yes, that means shadow work, sorry, not sorry) and letting go of things that are no longer needed, and are holding us back.

What does this all mean in practical real-life terms?

So, the nuts and bolts. What to do to make use of this info.

Firstly, this is a great time for journaling of all kinds. Delve into your heart and find what is lurking in the shadows there. Now is the time to bring it to light (only for your eyes, you don’t have to tell anyone else unless you want to) and heal it.

I am planning on going through my old journals at this time and physically removing pages which hold hurts and collage them into new art. I find this recycling of my heart into art is so powerful. For some people guided visualisations are really useful, to find what we are still wounded by. If you’re into astrology look at where Chiron is in your natal chart, that will give you a clue to the wound that keeps on giving.

Whichever method works for you, find your own way to uncover what is lurking in the shadows and drag it, kicking and screaming (possibly literally), into the light.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Blue Moon Cleansing Ritual

Here is a super simple ritual, which is also amazingly powerful at all full moons, but pure magic now.

Preparation

You may want to physically cleanse yourself beforehand, however you prefer to do that. A simple bath or shower works fine. A special bath or shower makes it more special.

Gather the things you need: candle (white is best, a tea light in a jar works well, especially if you’re outside as it doesn’t blow out); paper; pen (fountain with dragon’s blood ink or biro/ pencil); black thread (regular cotton is fine); matches/ lighter, any of the optional extras you are using (see optional extras below).

Choose where you will do this, indoor or outdoor. I prefer to do this outside but it works well indoors too. Just make sure you’ve got a nearby window that you can open as it will get smoky, and perhaps put something down to catch any debris. Outside, you will need to be able to see well enough to write on some paper (without it blowing away) and without freaking out your housemates or neighbours.

Centring/ Creating your space

Once you have everything you need and you are happy in your chosen place spend a few moments tuning in to your breath. Let go of anything that may be bothering you so that you can focus on your ritual. It can be helpful to say “I am Jessica, I am present” (obviously inserting your own name instead of Jessica, or that would be weird).

Light your candle. Take a moment to look into the flame as it flickers.

If you work with spirits or deities then now would be the time to invite them in. If you don’t then don’t. Similarly with the elements/ directions.

Working Part

Take your paper and free write onto it anything that is troubling you. Pour out your heart. You don’t need to worry about spelling, grammar, legibility even. Just put it down. The paper can hold it all. If you need more sheets use more.

Roll up the paper you have written on like a very tight scroll. If you are using herbs pop them in the centre of your scroll before you roll it. Use the black thread to wind it around and keep it tight.

Get under the light of the moon (or darkness, if the eclipse is visible in your area). Easy if you’re outside, but poking a face, or arm out of your window also works.

Take three more deep breaths and consciously feel each time you are breathing out that you are letting go of these things which no longer serve you.

Set the paper alight. Watch it burn (it can sometimes take a little while to get going so take a few matches or a lighter). I like to gently blow to keep the smoke going. If you blow into the lit end the smoke pushes out through the other too which always pleases me for some odd reason. Try it.

While it burns you may like to visualise something which helps with releasing, like darkness flowing out of you and back into the earth, or millions of little insects flying away. You may like to say some words, wither pre-prepared or ad lib. Move, dance, sing, play music, drum, chant. Whatever feels good.

If your bundle stops burning just light it again. Try to burn it until it is all gone. (Any bits and pieces that are left can be put outside on bare soil, or gifted to a house plant).

Closing

If you invited any spirits/ deities/ ancestors then say goodbye to them now.

You may want to add some closing words of your own here. Or just a simple thank you to the moon, sun and Earth is perfect.

Ideally let your candle burn all the way down while you settle into what has been done. If that’s not practical snuff the candle. Clear any debris.

Optional extras

You can add an extra sensory dimension to this ritual by adding some dry herbs into the rolled paper. Bay leaves work really well. Sage or mugwort would also be good choices.

You could sing or play music

Move or dance

Say some special words, either pre-prepared or ad lib

Wear special clothes and jewellery

Journal about your experience. It can be helpful to keep this going on a daily basis until, at least, the next new moon.

Or you can just do the basics: write (to discover) and burn (to clear).

That doesn’t sound too hard does it? Reading about it won’t have the same affect though (I know, it’s a shame right?). Doing it is where the magic is. And it works, powerfully, even if you think it’s a bit silly, things start moving in new exciting ways. Try it. Let me know how it goes.

]]>Full Moon EclipsejessicamstarrBlue Moon RitualI’ve Joined the Vlogospherehttps://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/ive-joined-the-vlogosphere/
Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:01:19 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=1884Continue reading I’ve Joined the Vlogosphere]]>Hi all, just a quick one to let you know I’ve started vlogging. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now (about a year!), and a couple of weeks ago I dived in and started posting videos. Just testing the water at the moment but aiming to do a video a week in 2018. Feedback greatly appreciated – but please be kind.

Here’s the link to my channel

]]>20160526-_DSC7822jessicamstarrMy Storyhttps://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/my-story/
Sun, 08 Oct 2017 21:13:07 +0000http://thestorywitchblog.wordpress.com/?p=174A woman sits in a high-back chair carefully stitching a small patchwork quilt. Her hands cradle the fabric. It is not a usual or easy task for her but she perserveres. Each day adding a few patches more. As the quilt grows so does her belly. The baby inside is nearly ready to be born.

Stitching the quilt helps the woman to stay calm and centred while she waits, impatiently. A lens to focus her love.

Wednesday. Thursday. Friday.

By Friday night the quilt is finished.

“There”, says the woman, “it is done. Now she must come”.

And sure enough that night the surges begin.

By Saturday the woman was exhausted but the baby remained inside. Her body started to slip away into the gloved hands of those around her. Her mind numbed.

Her labour stretched on and on under the dark Taurus moon.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon a beautiful baby girl with shining copper hair was pulled from her womb with a metal tong. The woman was relieved it was over.

The baby girl, Sunday’s child, was bright and loud. Her curly copper hair marked her apart – no need of a ribbon on her cot. There was no mistaking her.

A week later the woman took her baby home. The patchwork quilt warmed her as she slept.

******

As the girl grew her light and passion shone like her hair and she was beautiful. The girl loved to sing, to dance, to paint and draw. She saw colours everywhere around her. Colours of real things and those special aura colours which they tell us not to see.

When she was older she learned to write, which she did every day. And she always loved stories. They were her food and she savoured them.

The girl with the copper hair wanted very much to be good. To be loved. She saw that many things she felt and did brought light to those around her so she did those things more. She saw that some of what she felt and did and knew and saw was not wanted and caused pain and fear to those around her. Those things she took and stuffed into the shadow bag which lay always at her feet. Hiding them in the dark.

Into the bag went her power, taking part of her passion with it. Into the bag went her ambition, her ability to set boundaries, to say no. Into the bag went her deep connection with the other worlds, taking as well her empathy. As she grew so did the shadow bag. It was almost as if she didn’t notice she was dragging it around with her always. By the time she was a woman the bag was full.

******

The girl, now woman, knew she had gifts to share. Gifts of healing, of intuition, of wisdom, creativity, and love. She began her work healing, inspiring and teaching others. And it was good.

But without her power people could take things from her. And they did.

Without her fierceness people could hurt her. So they did.

Without her wild romanticism she could make decisions with her head but not her heart. She could appear rational. But she could not feel she was loved.

The girl was happy as she knew she was blessed and cared for but always there was the shadow bag with her. Reminding that she was only loved partly, loved for her light. Those things were there lurking in the darkness.

******

One day the girl had a child of her own. The birthing was unlike her own. It was gentle. Healing.

Through the birthing journey the girl with the copper hair travelled within to find her baby’s soul and bring it into our world. On this journey she encountered some of those things which she had hidden in the shadow bag. Her determination. Her deep wellpool of love.

With the baby came these things, back out of the bag. Into the open. They helped her with her mother journey. And she began to see that some of the other contents of the bag was good too.

Becoming mother was powerful. Her energy was flung outward. Exploding. She reached out to the world. Learning. Connecting. Growing.

Her life, which before then consisted of separate unconnected parts, became sewn together. Or at least that is how it seemed. In reality it was always connected, her patchwork life quilt, but it was by becoming mother that she saw her full self. The girl realised that throughout her life she had been working on “patches”. Through her work as teacher, writer, healer, doula, mentor, she was creating beautiful individual patches. Through her connections of daughter, grand-daughter, sister, lover, wife, friend and now mother, she sewed those patches together.

The patchwork quilt of love, made by her own mother, was now resting on her own daughter’s cot, but not on the baby. She slept on her mama’s chest.

A few years past and the girl had another baby. This time a boy.

Again an explosion. But this time, like a star collapsing, the energy rushed inwards. It was time to look within. To reassess the family rhythm. To find consistency in her writing and creativity. To create peace and deep connection. To make real, practical magic

The girl knew it was time to start rummaging again in the shadow bag. It was time to bring those hidden parts to light. All of them.